Sealing apparatus for gas vapor container subjected to above or below atmospheric pressures for product webs to be continuously treated

ABSTRACT

A sealing means for a container which permits the entrance or exit of a web of material to be treated inside the container. A cylindrical roll is rotatably mounted in the opening of the container and an endless sealing strip of resilient material is pressed against the roll. The sealing strip has two straight portions, each arranged parallel to the axis of the roll. The sealing strip also has two circular portions near each end of the roll which join the ends of the straight portions. The web material is passed between the sealing strip and the surface of the roll.

United States Patent 1191 Lopata et al.

1 51 Oct. 22, 1974 [541 SEALING APPARATUS FOR GAS VAPOR CONTAINER SUBJECTED To ABOVE oR EEPQWMHMQSL LQE P ES R E9 PRODUCT WEBS T0 BE 'CUNT'INUOUSLY TREATED [75] Inventors: Karl Peter Lopata, Krefeld; Gunter Heinz Schit'fer, Krefeld-Bockum, both of Germany [73] Assignee: FA Kleinewefers Industrie-Cornpanie rnbH,, KFefeld, Germany 22 Filed: June 25, 1973 21 App1.No.:373,407

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 20, 1972 Germany 2262324 [52] US. Cl 277/237, 34/242, 117/119, 118/50 [51] Int. Cl. Fl6j 15/54 [58'] Field of Search 277/237; 34/242; 117/119, 117/107.1; 118/404, 405, 50, 50.1, 48-495 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,702 6/1962 Eng et a1 117/107.1

9/1969 Kelly et a1; 118/50 2/1972 Main 277/237 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,045,364 10/1966 Great Britain 118/48 251,528 1/1967 Austria 271/231 Primary Examiner--Louis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-Robert 1. Smith Attorney, Agent, or FirmJames M. Heilman; William O. Heilman; Anthony J. Casella [57] ABSTRACT A sealing means for a container which permits the entrance or exit of a web of material to be treated inside the container. A cylindrical roll is rotatably mounted in the opening of the container and an endless sealing strip of resilient material is pressed against the roll.

The sealing strip has two straight portions, each arranged parallel to the axis of the roll. The sealing strip also has two circular portions near each end of the roll which join the ends of the straight portions. The web material is passed between the sealing strip and the surface of the roll. 1

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDnm 22 I974 SHEET 1 [1F 2 Fig. 2

This invention relates to a sealing apparatus for gas or vapor containers subjected to above or below atmospheric pressures for product webs to be continuously treated, in particular textile webs; including a pull roll arranged in direction of motion of the product web in front of or behind the container charge or discharge opening, and a seal coacting therewith and engaging the product web in the form of an endless elastic strip which is arranged at the edge of a longitudinal direction thereof, and the arcuate sections of which connecting said sections engage the roll and the product web respectively. In the apparatus characterized in this way, the product web is passed through the interior of the hood between the parallel sections of the seal strip.

It has additionally a slide film over the seal for protecting the seal strip and the product web.

The treatment of different product web materials and the different treatments of the product web (a dry treatment or a wet treatment of the product web) not only requires different pull roll linings, but also different slide films. The roll linings must be in accord with the slidefilm's and a quick wear of the seal strips and the film itself must be avoided. In case of a dry pass,

generally soft material is used as a pull roll lining, e.g. pressed wool paper, while for wet treatment of the product web, a harder plastic shell on the roll is to be preferred.

Sealing means having sealing strips are known from the Austrian Pat. specification 251,528, in which for protecting the product web and the seal strips, they are lined with a slide film. The slide film is exchangeable, so that the type and the material of the product web, the roll lining and the film can be accounted for.

An object of the invention is to provide a sealing apparatus of the initially specified type, in which the slide film can be given a simple configuration in particularly considering the configuration of the apparatus and is easy to attach to the sealing apparatus and is exchangeable. Also, the tension exerted on the slide film by virtue of the pull roll rotation and the movement of the product web is to be accommodated in such a way that the film smoothly engages the sections of the seal strip and the product web to prevent a failure of the film.

According to the invention, a sealing apparatus of the specified type is provided, in which the slide film is a frame-like film sheet, the two longitudinal edge sections of which, i.e., the marginal sections extending parallel to the pull roll, engage the two straight sections, while the two side sections engage the curved arcuate sections of the seal strip, the product web being passed through the cutout thereof disposed in the mid dle from the outside between the one straight section of the seal strip and the roll or from the intermediate space between the one straight section of the seal strip and the roll outwardly.

The length of the film sheet at least corresponds to the length of the apparatus carrying the seal strip, i.e., the longitudinal hood. Furthermore, the roll is made as long or longer than the film sheet, and also the lateral edge sections of the frame-like film sheet connecting the longitudinal edge sections have a width which at least corresponds to the radius of the curved arcuate sections of the seal strip. Herein the longitudinal edge section of the frame-like film sheet leading in the direction of movement of the product web, i.e., in direction of rotation of the pull roll, is secured to the apparatus housing or a part connected thereto. The attachment can preferably be provided as a part of the housing holding the seal strip, i.e., the longitudinal hood.

In furtherance of the invention the film sheet approximately has the width of the roll, and the cutout is a little wider than the product web to be treated.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the film sheet according to the invention therein the cutout thereof is defined by a three-sided relieving cut and by folding the resulting tab around the one longitudinal edge section of the film sheet. The free longitudinal edge of the tab is connected to the apparatus housing or a part connected thereto at the level or approximately at the level of the straight seal strip section trailing in direction of movement of the product web. This means that the longitudinal edge sections of the film sheet engaging the parallel seal strip sections each alone is secured to the housing or a part connected thereto and therefore both film sheet longitudinal edge sections are able to accommodate the tension forces exerted on them and thus smoothly engage the seal strip and the product web.

In the drawings, a sealing apparatus according to the invention has been illustrated in a duplicated design together with an intermediate chamber arranged between a processing container and the exterior. In the drawmgs:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the sealing apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus,

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of the frame-like film sheet, and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the arrangement and use of the two film sheets according to FIG. 1.

For sealing the interior of the container 1 in relationship to the surrounding exterior, a sealing apparatus 3 is attached to the opening 2 of the container, which ap paratus comprises a hood 4 curved in cross-section, the parallel straight edges 5, 6 of which and the curved edges 7 of which (only the right-hand onehas been illustrated in FIG. 2) follow an endless space curve and have a hub-like cross-section receiving a seal strip 8. Thereby, the two parallel straight strip sections 8a and 8b as well as sections disposed in the curved edges 7 of the hood are accordingly arcuately curved as shown in FIG. 2.

The shield 9 of the hood 4 is essentially provided for stability reasons and has a passage 10 through which the product web 11 is able to enter the container 1 in the direction of the arrow 12.

In an intermediate chamber 14, arranged between the surrounding exterior l3 and the container 1, a pull roll 15 is mounted which coacts with the seal strip sections 8a-8c. Upon omitting the slide film to be described hereinafter and the product web 11, the straight as well as the curved sections of the seal strip 8 engage the surface of the roll 15 to seal gas or liquid from leaking through the contact area. i

The area 14 is sealed relative to the environment area 13 in the same way as relative to the container 1 by a sealing apparatus 3' with the parallel seal strip sections 8a and 8b. The curved sections are not illustrated in FIG. I. The product web 11 is introduced, as will be noted from FIG. 1, between the seal strip sections 8a and 8b as well as between the latter and the pull roll into the intermediate chamber 14. The web 11 slides through the intermediate chamber 14 on the surface of the rotating roll 15, in order to enter between the seal strips 8a, 8b on the one hand and the roll 15 on the other hand into the container 1. The straight seal strip sections 8a, 8b or 8a, 8b are of an equal length or are preferably longer than the width of the product web.

In order to protect or adapt the seal strips 8, 8' relative to the surface of the roll 15 as well as relative to the product web 11, a single slide film 19, 19' is provided for each of the sealing apparatus 3, 3' illustrated in FIG. 1 on both sides of the central plane M.

This slide film is a film sheet 19 which has the framelike shape illustrated in FIG. 3 and which is defined by the two longitudinal edge sections 20, 21 and the side sections 22, 23. In the central portion of the film sheet 19, a tab 27 is defined by three relieving cuts 24, 25, 26, said tab being connected to the longitudinal edge section 21 along the fold line 28 illustrated in dotted lines. The tab 27 can be shortened, so that a free space is defined between the edge 29 of the section and the edge 30 of the tab 27, as will be noted in FIG. 3. This space can be dispensed with, if desired.

The longitudinal edge section 20 as well as the tab 27 each have a plurality of holes 31, 32 parallel to the edges 29 and 30. Both hole rows are provided in the vicinity of the edges 30 or 33. I

The tab 27 is folded outwardly around the fold line 28 (toward the viewer in FIG. 4), in order to have a further fold line 34 spaced therefrom, the tab thereby being divided into a section 35 and in a section 36 can be dispensed with, and the holes 32 can be shifted to the section 35.

The length a of the tab 27 and thus the cutout disposed in the middle of the sheet is larger than the width of the product web 11 and at least equal to the length b of the hood (FIG. 2), which is shorter than the roll 15. The width c of the side sections 22, 23 of the sheet 19 is at least as large as the radius d of arcuatedly curved edges 7 of the hood 4 (FIG. 3).

Instead of the rectangular side edge sections 22, 23 also rounded side edge sections can be chosen in observing the specified size relationships, as this has been suggested in FIG. 3 in confining dashed lines.

The arrangement of the two frame-like film sheets 19 for the arrangement at the seal straips 8 and 8' in pairs has been illustrated in FIG. 5. The film sheet 19, which is associated to the seal strip 8 and through the cutouts 37 of which defined by virtue of the relieving cuts 24, 25, 26 as well as the folding of the tab 27 the product web 11 is passed, is secured with its section 20 by means of fasteners 38 passed through the holes 31 to the edge 6 (FIG. 2) of the sealing apparatus 3, said edge being hub-like in cross section. The part of the section 20 disposed between the holes 31 and the edge 29 as well as the section 21 are disposed in front of the straight seal strip sections 80, 8b, while the two side sections 22, 23 of the film sheet 19 are disposed between the edges of the roll 15 and the curved edge sections of 8c of the seal strip 8, while the tab 27 is disposed with its sections 35, 36 preferably around the edge 5 of the sealing apparatus 3 carrying the seal strip section 8a and is arrested by fasteners 39 passed through the holes 32. Thereby, the section 20 itself accommodates the tension forces exerted on it via the fasteners 38, while the tab 27 provides for an accommodation of the forces exerted on the section 21.

The film sheet 19' of the apparatus 3 in FIG. 1 has a similar arrangement regarding the direction of movement of the product web 11 and the direction of rotation of the roll 15, which is associated to the two seal strip sections 8a and 8b. The similar parts are 5', 6 and 35' and 36' (FIG. 1 and 5).

A film sheet 19 is of a particular advantage when the surface of the film is harder than the surface of the roll 15. So for instance the film sheet can comprise a nickel alloy or can carry a coating of nickel or a nickel alloy.

The embodiments of this invention, in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed, are defined as follows:

1. A sealing apparatus for mounting in an opening in gas containers having pressures which differ from the atmosphere for transferring a web of material therethrough comprising: a cylindrical roll journaled for rotation positioned adjoining said opening; an endless seal strip of resilient material held in contact with the roll and having two straight portions arranged parallel to the roll axis and two circular portions connecting the straight portions; a hood, made of rigid material, in contact with the seal strip for holding it againstthe cylindrical roll, the outer edges of said hood sealed to the container opening; and means for passing the web through an opening in the hood and between the sealing strip and the surface of the roll.

2. A sealing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first endless seal strip is mounted on one side of the cylindrical roll and a second endless seal strip is mounted on the other side of the roll, each strip held in place by a hood, and means for passing the web through both sealing strips.

3. A sealing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a sealing sheet is positioned between the sealing strip and the roll and held from rotation by securing means coupled to the hood.

4. A sealing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the sealing sheet includes side edge sections positioned under the circular portions of the sealing strip.

5. A sealing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sealing sheet is formed with a cut-out portion which permits the web to enter the sealing strip and the container.

6. A sealing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the cut-out postion of the sealing sheet is defined by a three-sided relieving cut, producing a tab which is bent around one straight section of the sealing strip.

7. A sealing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the surface of the film sheet is harder than the surface of the roll.

8. A sealing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the film sheet is a nickel alloy. 

1. A sealing apparatus for mounting in an opening in gas containers having pressures which differ from the atmosphere for transferring a web of material therethrough comprising: a cylindrical roll journaled for rotation positioned adjoining said opening; an endless seal strip of resilient material held in contact with the roll and having two straight portions arranged parallel to the roll axis and two circular portions connecting the straight portions; a hood, made of rigid material, in contact with the seal strip for holding it against the cylindrical roll, the outer edges of said hood sealed to the container opening; and means for passing the web through an opening in the hood and between the sealing strip and the surface of the roll.
 2. A sealing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a first endless seal strip is mounted on one side of the cylindrical roll and a second endless seal strip is mounted on the other side of the roll, each strip held in place by a hood, and means for passing the web through both sealing strips.
 3. A sealing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a sealing sheet is positioned between the sealing strip and the roll and held from rotation by securing means coupled to the hood.
 4. A sealing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the sealing sheet includes side edge sections positioned under the circular portions of the sealing strip.
 5. A sealing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sealing sheet is formed with a cut-out portion which permits the web to enter the sealing strip and the container.
 6. A sealing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the cut-out postion of the sealing sheet is defined by a three-sided relieving cut, producing a tab which is bent around one straight section of the sealing strip.
 7. A sealing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the surface of the film sheet is harder than the surface of the roll.
 8. A sealing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the film sheet is a nickel alloy. 